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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Paarukkulle Nalla

From Kappalotiya Tamizhan · 1961

Lyricist
Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyaar
Singer
Seerkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Kappalotiya Tamizhan1961

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Paarukullae nalla naaduThe finest nation in the entire world,
Paarukullae nalla naaduThe finest nation in the entire world,
Engal bharatha naadu indha naaduThis country is our homeland of Bharat.
Paarukullae nalla naaduThe finest nation in the entire world.
Male
Theerathilae padai veerathilaeIn valor and in military bravery,
Nenjil eerathilae ubagarathilaeIn kindness of heart and in generosity,
Theerathilae padai veerathilaeIn valor and in military bravery,
Nenjil eerathilae ubagarathilaeIn kindness of heart and in generosity,
Saarathilae migha saathiranganduIn discovering deep truths and wisdom of scriptures,
Saarathilae migha saathiranganduIn discovering deep truths and wisdom of scriptures,
Tharuvadhilae uyar naaduIt is the supreme nation in giving to others.
Paarukullae nalla naaduThe finest nation in the entire world.
Male
Nanmaiyilae udal vanmayilaeIn goodness and in physical strength,
Selva panmayilae marathanmayilaeIn abundance of wealth and in martial bravery,
Nanmaiyilae udal vanmayilaeIn goodness and in physical strength,
Selva panmayilae marathanmayilaeIn abundance of wealth and in martial bravery,
Ponmayil ottridum maadhar tham karppilIn the virtue of women who resemble golden peacocks,
Ponmayil ottridum maadhar tham karppilIn the virtue of women who resemble golden peacocks,
Pugazhinilae uyar naaduIt is the supreme nation in glorious renown.
Engal bharatha naadu indha naaduThis country is our homeland of Bharat.
Paarukullae nalla naaduThe finest nation in the entire world.
Male
Vanmayilae ulathinmayilaeIn generosity and in mental fortitude,
Manathanmayilaemadhi nunmayilaeIn noble character and in sharp intellect,
Vanmayilae ulathinmayilaeIn generosity and in mental fortitude,
Manathanmayilaemadhi nunmayilaeIn noble character and in sharp intellect,
Unmayilae thavaraadha pulavargalIn truthful poets who never deviate from honesty,
Unmayilae thavaraadha pulavargalIn truthful poets who never deviate from honesty,
Unarvinilae uyar naaduIt is the supreme nation in spiritual awareness.
Bharatha naadu indha naaduThis country is the land of Bharat.
Paarukullae nalla naaduThe finest nation in the entire world.
Indha naadu engal naaduThis land is our very own land.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This iconic patriotic song composed by Mahakavi Subramania Bharathiyaar celebrates the grandeur, culture, and virtues of India (Bharat). Bharathiyaar lists various attributes that make Bharat the greatest nation in the world: military courage, deep compassion, philanthropic giving, rich philosophical literature, physical health, material prosperity, virtuous citizens, brilliant intellect, and truthful poets.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter rhyme)

Theerathilae padai veerathilae / Saarathilae migha saathirangandu

Matching second consonants across lines, such as 'Theerathilae' and 'Saarathilae', or 'Nanmaiyilae' and 'Ponmayil'.

Iyaibu (End rhyme)

Vanmayilae ulathinmayilae / Manathanmayilaemadhi nunmayilae

Repetition of ending suffixes '-ilae' and '-mayilae' across multiple lines creating rhythmic cadence.

Metaphor / Simile (Uvamai)

Ponmayil ottridum maadhar tham karppil

Comparing the grace and dignity of Indian women to radiant golden peacocks ('Ponmayil').

Anaphora / Repetition

Paarukullae nalla naadu

The repeated refrain 'Paarukullae nalla naadu' reinforces national pride throughout the poem.

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Trivia

Written by Mahakavi Subramania Bharathiyaar during the Indian independence movement, this song was adapted for the 1961 historical film 'Kappalottiya Thamizhan' directed by B. R. Panthulu. The film chronicles the life of freedom fighter V. O. Chidambaram Pillai, played by Sivaji Ganesan. Set to music by G. Ramanathan and sung powerfully by Seerkazhi Govindarajan, the song remains one of the most celebrated patriotic anthems in Tamil literature and cinema.

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